Save the Date: Why US couples are rushing to say ‘I Do’ on New Year’s Eve

By: FP Explainers

Couples in the US are flocking to Las Vegas to tie the knot on New Year’s Eve. The city could set a record for the busiest wedding day ever on this year’s 31 December. But why do people think it is ‘fun’ to say ‘I Do’ on this big holiday?

2024 is knocking on our doors. But before letting the new year in, people around the globe are geared up to celebrate the last day of 2023. While some might be ringing in the New Year with their loved ones by their side, others would be partying on 31 December.

There are also people who have decided to tie the knot on New Year’s Eve. Several couples in the United States will be getting hitched on Sunday, with some waiting for the final countdown to midnight to say ‘I do’.

But why do couples want to take the big leap on this New Year’s Eve? Let’s find out.

Getting married on New Year’s Eve

While it is common for people to get married on special days, New Year’s Eve of 2023 holds more significance because of the date – 12/31/2023, alternately 1-2-3-1-2-3.

Such dates are known as “specialty dates” in the huge Las Vegas wedding industry, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

People are flocking to Las Vegas in US’ Nevada to tie the knot on 31 December.

While New Year’s Eve is one of the popular holidays for nuptials, it could be known this year for setting the record for the busiest wedding day ever for the Sin City, reported Associated Press (AP).

Charm of ‘magic dates’

According to the news release by the clerk of Clark County, Nevada, “magic dates” have long been preferred by people to get married. “Lucky 7s” day – 7/7/2007 – was the most famous wedding date in Las Vegas on record, with 4,492 couples tying the knot, CNN reported citing the release.

The second-most popular specialty date for Las Vegas was 11 November 2011, when 3,125 couples got hitched.

Another ‘magic date’ – 2/22/22 – saw 2,331 weddings in the city.

‘Specialty dates’ such as 3 April 2021 (4/3/21) and 13 December 2014 – 12/13/14 – were also popular among the couples, as per an AP report.

“People always want to be able to remember their anniversary date,” Brian Mills, board president of the Vegas Wedding Chamber, told CNN.

“It’s kind of a kitschy thing to have a cool number date.”

This year’s specialty date falls on a holiday famous for celebration.

“It’s a double whammy. Anytime you get these specialty dates, they’re always hugely popular. But tie that in with New Year’s Eve and it’s a showstopper,” Melody Willis-Williams, president of Vegas Weddings, which operates multiple venues, told AP.

‘Wedding capital of the world’

Realising the craze among couples for uniting in wedlock this New Year’s Eve, Clark County opened a temporary marriage license bureau at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport. Those seeking marriage licenses or vow renewal certificates could visit the pop-up marriage bureau, which remained open till 5 pm local time, at the airport between 26 December to 31 December.

Since 2018, Las Vegas has usually seen between 450 and 550 weddings on New Year’s Eve, AP reported citing the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

However, this year it is expected to be much bigger, with wedding industry experts believing the holiday could be a record-setter.

Some venues are even offering special packages to commemorate the date, with Vegas Weddings providing a walk down the aisle just before midnight for $2,024 (Rs 1.7 lakh approximately), reported CNN.

Mills, board president of the Vegas Wedding Chamber, told CNN that everyone is “very excited to see how all the people come into town and tie the knot and celebrate Vegas and love being (in) the wedding capital of the world.”

12-31-23

Many wedding venues in Las Vegas reported to have received more inquiries this year for New Year’s Eve.

“It’s definitely a big date for the wedding industry,” a wedding planner named Carolyn McGee told The Chicago Sun-Times newspaper.

“You have some couples that wanted it for the date, and then you had some that wanted it just because it was New Year’s Eve, but I think it’s pretty cool to have the date line up like that,” McGee added.

Couples believe it would be “fun” to tie the knot on New Year’s Eve and with the specialty date this year, the interest has increased.

“People are drawn to the numbers. They think that’s a lot of fun. People usually seek out New Year’s Eve. But the fact that the numbers [line up this year> just kind of add to [the fun>,” a wedding planner in Chicago was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

But not everyone in the US is travelling to Las Vegas to take their wedding vows on New Year’s Eve. Couples are equally excited to hold their wedding ceremonies in Chicago city of Illinois.

Michelle Vu, who plans to get hitched in Chicago where she met her partner in 2015, told The Chicago Sun-Times, “I had always dreamt of having this glamorous big black-tie, New Year’s Eve wedding. I feel like there’s so much pressure to have plans on New Year’s Eve, but people are off and want to have a good time. I think it’s a perfect excuse to throw a big party.”

She said the pair realized the number pattern after settling on the date. “Now, a lot of people have brought it up to us, and it’s such a cool anniversary,” Vu added.